I am writing to make further appeal to do something that is needed
in the interests of the Flock. As spiritual shepherds you brothers have
expended yourself for many years with the interest of trying to guide
the flock in the way Jesus would approve. As you may recall it was Peter
who said, "Therefore, to the older men among YOU I give this exhortation,
for I too am an older man with [them] and a witness of the sufferings
of the Christ, a sharer even of the glory that is to be revealed: Shepherd
the flock of God in YOUR care, not under compulsion, but willingly;
neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording
it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples
to the flock. And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, YOU
will receive the unfadable crown of glory." (1 Peter 5:1-4) This
scripture helps to explain the importance of what it means to take care
of the sheep entrusted to your care. If the sheep are to be cared for,
how much more so the little lambs that exists as children in the congregation.

When I wrote my first letter to you around one year ago I was very
upset at a problem that presented itself to me in the congregation.
As a local shepherd I felt my hands were tied from protecting a child
from being molested. How could I be a good "shepherd" and
not protect a little lamb that was in danger? I was instructed to leave
it in Jehovah’s hands, yet would Jehovah wait one day if he knew
a child was being hurt? Simply, nor could I wait. As the scripture says
in Acts, "Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among
which the holy spirit has appointed YOU overseers, to shepherd the congregation
of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]. (Acts 20:27-28)
As an elder would I be "paying attention" if I ignored the
needs of a child in danger?

My letter had very strong words, I realize, yet I was trying to compel
you brothers to see how horrible a danger this was to the flock. I felt
you needed to wake up to the clear and present threat to the congregation.
Another reason my letter was worded so strongly was being contacted
by numerous persons who brought to my attention that their child molesters
had for the most part went unreported while they were forced to live
as silent lambs. In order to remedy this problem and after conferring
with several experts in the field, I offered three suggestions on how
to protect children from child molestation issues:

If a child is molested call the police first.
No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed privileges
in the congregation.
No brother or sister who molests children should be allowed to go in
the door-to-door ministry.
The purpose of these recommendations was to protect the flock. Each
point would offer specific safeguards that would protect the high moral
standards adhered to by the organization.

The first suggestion, "If a child is molested call the police
first," not only helps the child to have an proper investigation
to determine what happened and get proper treatment if needed, but it
also would put any child molester on notice that if he or she touched
a Witness child they would not be able to hide behind the body of elders
but instead would face the "superior authorities."(Rom. 13:1)
This would also show that Jehovah’s Witnesses were different than
many mainstream religions by having a zero tolerance policy when it
came to molested children.

The second suggestion, "No brother or sister who molests children
should be allowed privileges in the congregation," would be not
only a deterrent for any would be molester but also put the congregation
on notice that certain people may need to be watched and not trusted
with children. This again would protect the flock.

The third suggestion, "No brother or sister who molests children
should be allowed to go in the door-to-door ministry," would let
the public know that Jehovah’s Witnesses would never send child
molesters to an unknowing public which in turn would make the public
feel confident the Witness calling at their door was a safe person.
This alone protects the image offered to the public of all Jehovah’s
Witnesses.

My question to you brothers is why did you choose to do nothing? What
was the reasoning that allowed you to ignore the cry for help offered
on the silentlambs website? How many children have been molested in
the last year since these suggestions have not been acted upon?

In 1997 the January 1, Watchtower, the impression was given that one
of these suggestions had been acted upon. The feeling given from the
January 1, 1997 Watchtower was that all child molesters would never
have privileges in the congregation, yet in the March 14, 1997, a letter
to "All Bodies Of Elders," plainly stated persons with a history
of child molestation were not to be queried thus leaving open the possibility
of brothers continuing to serve in appointed capacity. The June 1, 2001
letter to "All Bodies Of Elders" in Britain cleared up any
misconception by stating if a period of time had passed since his last
molestation, a brother could be used as an elder again or could continue
to serve. What were you thinking? Do you really believe you could tell
the flock on thing and have the elders act on hidden directives through
BOE letters? Brothers this has to come to an end. This is not about
one personality or another it is about protecting children, safeguarding
the congregation, and not bringing reproach on Jehovah’s name.
Psalms 74:18 states, "Remember this: The enemy himself has reproached,
O Jehovah, And a senseless people have treated your name with disrespect."
Brothers do you want to bring further reproach on Jehovah’s name,
make yourself an enemy and look like a senseless one?

I urge you brothers with due haste to take action now. The brothers
and sisters will respect and appreciate a decision that acts in the
interests of the flock. Jesus said, "I am the fine shepherd; the
fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep. The hired
man, who is no shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong as his own,
beholds the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and flees—and the
wolf snatches them and scatters them— because he is a hired man
and does not care for the sheep. (John 10:10-15) I entreat you brothers
to please not act like the hired man and leave the flock, the lambs,
exposed to danger. Be like Jesus who was willing to go beyond the call
of duty to the point of dying to defend their safety. Whatever the reason
for inaction, now is the time to act, apologize for not acting sooner,
let those wronged know they are loved and will be better protected in
the future. The brothers and sisters will revere you more so in the
end for showing yourselves to be humble shepherds acting in the interests
of Jehovah’s possession. (John 21:15-17)

Please listen, please take action, please stand up for what is right,
please give a voice to the silent lambs and please protect the flock.